Mail-bag receiver.



G. H. GHRISTY,

MAIL BAG RECEIVER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 23, 1914.

Patented Feb. 9, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 V @XJYYEATTZZI \VITN ESSES:

G. H. CHRISTY.

MAIL BAG RECEIVER.

APPLICATION TILED MARZB. 1 1 4 1; W332, Patented Feb. 9, 1915 2 SHEETSSHIJET 2.

I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GUY H. CHRISTY, OF SANTA CRUZ, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR OF TWO-FIETHS TO OLIVER BOYEA, OF SANTA CRUZ, CALIFORNIA.

MAIL-BAG RECEIVER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 9, 1915.

Application filed March 23, 1914. Serial No. 826,522.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GUY H. CHRISTY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Santa Cruz, in the county of Santa Cruz and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Mail-Bag Ileeivers, of which the following is a specication.

This invention relates to apparatus for receiving mail bags, or other parcels, from moving vehicles or trains.

It is one of the objects of the present invention to provide an apparatus of great strength and rigidity for receiving mail bags and other parcels, which it may be desired to deposit at a station, from a moving vehicle, such as a railway mail car.

A further object of the invention is to provide a mail bag receiving apparatus, including a stationary support, upon which is mounted a tiltable cantaliver, having a carriage carrying hanger arms or a crane structure, and upon the latter is supported a collapsible basket which is designed to directly receive the parcel to be deposited, said apparatus being capable as a whole for adjustment to extended or receiving position and'collapsible in inoperative position for occupancy of small space when not in actual use.

The invention consists of a stationary tower or stanchion structure, upon which is pivoted a tilting cantaliver, with means for controlling the tilting of the same, and locking means therefor.

It further consists of a foldable basket or receiving device which is slidably and hingedly related to the cantaliver so as to be projectable to receiving position adjacent to the side of a railway mail car, and which is collapsible for folding into unused position so as to economize in space and be protected against iniury by collision with vehicles moving about the tower.

Having reference to the accompanying drawings-I*igure 1 is a plan view of the apparatus, with the receiving basket adiusted and unfolded to receiving position. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the apparatus shown in connection with a mail bag releasing device on a car. Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the apparatus in its telescoped and collapsed position. with the basket closed. Fig. 4 is a rear elevation of the stanchions and slide, showing the locking devices of the cantaliver. '1

In the drawings, 2 represents a stationary stanchion or tower structure which may be suitably braced. and upon the upper end of which is mounted, upon pivots 3, a tiltable cantaliver 4 comprising parallel side members forming guideways for a 'sliduble or telescopic carriage 5. The parallel side members of the carriage 5 rest upon the adjacent slides of the cantaliver 4 and are transversely braced, as at 6.

The cantaliver structure 4 includes arcuate braces 7, one on each side of the stanchions or tower, which are perforated at 8, Fig. 4, for the reception of latch pins 9 adapted to be projected through the tower structure standards bysuitable springs 10. The pins 9 operate to lock the cantaliver l in the horizontal position shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4, and when the pins are withdrawn from the braces 7 of the cantaliver, bv a pull on releasing lanyards 11, the cantaliver is released and may tilt to the closed oblique position, Fig. 3. The lanyards 11 may he released, as desired, and temporarily fastened over cleats or projections 12" provided for that purpose on the standards of the tower. -1v

When in the horizontal position, as in Figs. 1 and 2, the carriage 5 is projected forwardly and locked against sliding movement upon the cantaliver 4 by sna pins 13 which are connected to springs 1 one on each side of the carriage members. These pins are adapted to snap into forward or rear sets of apertures 15 provided for their reception in the cantaliver mem ers. When it is desired to telescope the slide or carrier 5 in the cantaliver 4, the operator retracts the locking pins 13 by pulling on a releasing flexible connection 16. which is connected to the latch pins 13, and upon the withdrawal of these from the forward holes 15 the carriage 5 mav be pushed rearwardlv alon he ways of the cantaliver 4 to the position shown in Fig. 8.

Upon the carrier 5 there is pivoted at 17 apair of parallel arms forming a crane 1.8. The crane 18 carries upon its lower end an adjustable bracket structure 19, provided with a multiplicity of holes 20 which permit of the various adjustments of the bracket 19, as to the crane arm 18, which parts are socured together by bolts or other suitable means21, Fig. 2. The bracket 19 includes a pair of upwardly extending, slotted bearings 22, Figs. 1 and 2; these slotted bearings being'provided with numerous perforations 23 forthe reception of fastening screws 21.

These screws 24. project through a horizontal supporting bar 25 which is slotted, as at 26, to receive the screws 24, the slots allowing longitudinal movement of the supporting bar 25 as to the bearing members 22 of the bracket 19, and which supporting bar is shiftable from end to end of the slotted bearing members 22 as may be desired under and the crane members 18 to be swung down toward the ground to folded position.

The arms 27, of which there is one at each end of the horizontal supporting bar 25, are attached to one slatted side 29 of a basket structure which consists also of an opposite foldable slatted side 30; the sides 29 and 30 being pivotally or hingedly connected, as at 31, Figs. 1 and 2. The' basket sides 29 and 30' are locked in the open position: by knuckle-jointed links 32 and 33 which are jointed together at 34 and pivoted at their outer respective ends to the basket sides 30 and 29. When it is desired to close or fold the basket sides together, i the knucklejointed link structures are folded about their pivots 34 and swung together in the position, as indicated in Fig. 3, in which the basket is shown as closed.

In operation, when it is desired to position the basket so as to receive mail bags, or other parcels, from a moving railway car, the operator swings the cantaliver 4 to the horizontal position shown in Fig. 2 by pulling upon a hoisting flexible member 4', which is connected in" this case to one of the transverse bracesfi of the carriage 5, and which-is assumed to be in' its telescoped position, as'shown in Fig. 3. As the cantaliver swings toahorizontal position the snap bolts 9 spring into their respective keeper apertures 8 in the curved brackets 7 and the -cantaliver is then locked in a-horizontal posi-' bar 25 to the projected position,-Fig. 2, and

may then unfold the basket to its open position to receive the mail bags, or other parcels, indicated at A, Fig. 2.

The present apparatus is designed to cooperate with a mail bag casting-otf device, which is indicated generally at B, Fig. 2, and which includes a lever 40 of a crankshaft 41, to the crank of which is connectedan oscillating lever 42, which, when tilted, rocks a rocker shaft 43 on the cast-01f device B and releases the bags, or other pareels-A, in a position over the basket 30. This release of the bags is accomplished during the motion of the train when the lever40 encounters a. striking pin or abutment 44,'adjustably secured to the carriage 5 and projecting in the path of the arm 40. After the'cast-ofi device has been actuated by the striker 34 to release the parcel A,

which dro s into the basket 30 positioned therefor, t en the operator may collect the parcels or mail ba s from the basket and immediately,'if des1red, proceed to fold the basket into closed position, shift the basketcarrying arms 27 to compact position on the crane 1'8, unlock the carriage 5 by withdrawing the pins 13 from the cantaliver 4, and telescope the carriage. Then by pulling on the releasing lanyards 11 of the cantaliver locking pins 9 the cantalivermay tilt downwardly.

In order that. the cantaliver will not fall violently when released by the operator, the controlling flexible member 4' thereof may be temporarily latched over a cleator retainin dog 4" secured on a convenient portion 0 the tower. The 'perating member 4 being connected to the iretaining device 4" will serve to sustain the cantaliver 4 in its unlocked position and against its tilting until'the operator can release the controlling member 4' from the cleat 4 and gradually lower tht cantaliver 4 with its associated members.

' Having thus described myinventiomwhat I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A mail bag receiving apparatus, comprising a stationary tower or support, a basket for receiving the mail bags, :1 cantaliver mounted upon said support, and means connecting the basket to the cantaliver so that the basket may slide while the caiiiiw liver remains stationery for carrying she basket to c receiving position in proximity to the moi delivering device of a moving vehicle anal: whereby the basket be r tracted to c compact position when not li'l use. 2. In combination with a suppoi; liver pimsiefi thereon and movable from e w vertical to e horizontal position ecl vice verse, e carrier on the cant-alive: movable indepcndenizly of the letter from reiracievi to projecteii position enci vice versa, e receiver conneciecl to the ceri'iei'.

3. The combination in e mail receiving apparatus, of e sianclarcl or tower, a finteliver pivoted thereon. and means cor riecl by the cantelivei' for siiclcoly bodily carrying e. boske; inte'and "323cc. 2,

2o usable projectmi mail-receiving position 4. In combination with a support cantaliver pivoted thereon, a carrier iiovable on the Cantabile? and inclepen ieictiy thereof, a crane pivoted to the ceri ier, vecelveiand means movably connected-to the crane and "to the receive;- Whereliy when the csnteliver and crane assume vertical po 'sition the crane will move relative the receiver to allow the latter to be movcil 80 a vertical position adjacent to thesuppoiffi,

5. In combination with 9. support member thereon moi able to iiorizccsai and vertical position, a carrier sholabie on the member, a receiver, and means connecting the receive? and ce l-rice whereby when die member is moved to horizontal position the carrier may be projecte and the receiver movecl to receiving POSli'AOH anci whereby iien ,ilie member is moves! to vertical posi: on c ne carrier may be retracted and the 'eceivei" moved to collapsed position edjeceiiii toiiie sup ort.

In a nail combination with a stationery suppori, of o cant-sliver tiltcble thereon, a percei and a carrier slidably mounted on said canieliverie "which siidv receiver ooimccizel and whereby the same is movable 15o from a i'eoeivingig posit-ion. E0 7. inc mail receiving aplozzs bcs, combination with a sictio'navy suppers, of acantaliver tiltsole thereon, a game receiver, and a carrier mounted on soil cruise-liver to which said receiver is connected emol Where by the same is movable to and from s receive ing position, said carrier includinge crene having'slotted bearings to which said re ceiver 1's ad ustcbly connected.

, 82111 a mail beg receiving apparatus, age

canteli'ver tiltsble thereon, e-pavcel receives, end', "a; C3ZI181 mounte'ci ore-sa d cei'ii,zilivev so which said?" receiver is. connecteimci where:

and iconic eceivby the same is movsbie vs iiig position, ,sei iicei' fiei? isclgqgiisg mm cg receiving apparatus, clic' combinatio ijwith a stationary suppor'c, pi e ieving slotiscii odics 'zebie bearings said receiver is cjizstabiy COIiIlQCiLBC in c insii receiving apparatus, the c; binction with a stationary suppers, of s m i ccliver pivoiiecl on the support, e foiiicoie m receiver anoi means slid-ably on Sic centaliver for carrying the receiver can is receiving gicsition. in mail receiving perctus the combination with stationery seppori, of e w ceiitcliver, a ifoicieble receiver concecie thereto with means sliclaoly n-cuiii-ecl on she ceiii cliver for carrying the receiver anal from a receiving position, said means bei g provided, with clevices jusiincnt 01 the receiver to diii'ereii' cziskeiz, c S ii i;@13?b siifrpore i ffl'ififi upon s suppers ing the to a lions means for ioclne some i pcsitioc, a, carrier siic-ieloiy mo cenizelivei', eiizi e suygpcvc-ieg c; coviiiec he carrier, seicl Ci2l116, and csnia'ivei cocpereiiiig ceiver to c projected pcsizici parcels and to e, colicpseol and position when not use. i

12; in an for from s movable vehicle; s. or support-i, c cciiisciiver adjusts c thereon for movement izo i" i means for Booking size a position c com-1e: slid. upon i116 canteiivei', soc. means for ice e vehicle, sioiiery su'ipoivi, a comelivei mounted upos said support and cor percei receiver, snap W e'r'eiive to latch time c minec position coon iiiopeniising the lo -s to reel cool a c. vice concecieci connectible to psi-t o to ccmpoiciily i :icl the sviin ing moi'oii viii-en leased.

M. In COiBiDiiklviiOi} with 3; s member movehf mounieii: means to connect the suppori; allow the member iao movefzo vertical loorizon bsl positions, ii, receives, eni connected to the reoeiveigii" to the iflfizi'lljl whereby when the memberis movecl tohori zontel position she receivermay be moved;

to horizontal positioii incl ciicnsiicl. orvproje'cteel out from she siippor'' ien'ti ereby when said member is moved as e 'vc'-" position receiver 'mey be veisrsccezi swiiahen' moved so es occupy collapsed csl 52ciozi eeijscesc flee supycrzis v i ()CKS autos"; we

15. In combination with a support anda track member ivoted to the support so as to be movable "rom a horizontal to a vertical position, a receiver, and means slidable on said track member to support the receiver.

16. In combination With a support and a track member pivoted to the support so as to be movable from a horizontal to a vertical position, a receiver, and means slidable on said track member to support the receiver, said receiver when the member occupies vertical. position being slidable inwardly into collapsed position and when the member is moved to horizontal position being slidable outwardly to receiving position.

17. In combination with a support and a member pivoted thereto, a carriage slid-able on the support, a receiver, means topivotally connect the receiver to the carriage, and means to connect the receiver to said plvotin means whereby the receiver may be move relative to the pivoting means to occupy collapsed position.

18. In combination with a support and a pivoted member thereon rhs in g; a track, a carriage slidable on the track, a receiver, and

mama

carriage slidable on the track, a receiver, a

crane pivoted to thecarriage and movable to a vertical position to extend adjacent to the support, and means to movably connect the receiver to the crane whereby the receiver may be collapsed against the support.

20. In combination with a vertical sup port and a pivoted member thereon having a.

track, a carriage on the track, a. crane p1v-= oted to the carriage and movable to 'a'posr' tion to aline with and extendion opposite sides of the support, and a receiver connected to thei-erane and movableto a" vertical position against 1 the support.

- In testimony whereof I have hereunto set" presence of two subscribing my hand in the witnesses."

GUY CHBISTY. Witnesses Omvnn Bow,

(l BAIRD. 

